Destination: MEDITERRANEAN Itinerary: Spain, France, Italy, Malta Ship: Departure port: Barcelona, Spain Departure date: 2020-01-16 Duration: 7 Nights Palermo, Italy 2020-01-20 PMO02 - PALERMO AND MONREALE culture and history Your excursion begins with a coach tour past the city's key landmarks, such as the Quattro Canti, Piazza Politeama and the Teatro Massimo, en route to Monreale, a town located on the slope of Monte Caputo and just 8 km away from Palermo. Enjoy enjoy a walking tour around the town and visit the Cathedral, home to an exquisite display of golden mosaics depicting scenes from the Old and New Testament. Back on your coach, enjoy the drive to Palermo for a full visit of the Cathedral, built in an unusual marriage of Norman and Arab architectural styles and which houses the tombs of different Norman kings and Emperor Frederick II. Another religious site of note is the "Casa Professa", one of the most important baroque churches in Palermo. You will also visit a local market rich in typical Sicilian products where you can enjoy some free time for shopping before returning to the ship. Please note: you have to walk up some steps to visit the Cathedral in Monreale. The guide will give explanation only outside the sites; guests will visit them individually. If the Cathedrals are closed on public holidays or during special events, the visit will be external. Guests are requested to wear appropriate attire for religious visits. This tour includes periods of walking, at times over uneven surfaces and is not available to guests who use a wheelchair; guests of limited mobility are requested to evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability before taking part. Guests must return their audio guides to the guide in perfect condition at the end of the tour. Any damage or loss will be debited to the guest. Price per person Adult: $ 60.00 Child: $ 40.00 PMO04 - CEFALU' culture and history Enjoy a 1-hour coach drive to Cefalù, a small yet pretty town situated one hour away from Palermo and which was founded by the Norman King Roger II in the XII century on the site of an earlier historic settlement. You will visit Cefalù Cathedral, the "Duomo del Cristo Pantocratore", an example of Norman-Romaneque architecture with stunning interior Norman-Byzantine mosaics. Next on the list is the visit to the medieval lavatory, a public lavatory where people used to wash their clothes in the Middle Age and fully restored in 1991, a legacy of medieval times, carved into the rock. Enjoy a guided walk along the historical centre and some free time to explore the narrow, atmospheric streets. Quality local craft shops make Cefalù a great place for souvenir shopping. Please note: this tour includes walking on uneven ground and is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. If the Cathedral is closed on public holidays or during special events, the visit will be external. Guests are requested to wear appropriate attire for religious visits. Price per person Adult: $ 68.00 Child: $ 52.00 www.mscbook.com PMO06 - PALERMO & THE PALATINE CHAPEL culture and history Join us as tour through the streets and square of this bustling Sicilian town; your coach will pass along the city's key landmarks, such as the Quattro Canti, Piazza Politeama and D'Orleans Palace with one of Palermo's main monuments as your last destination: the Palatine Chapel. The Chapel was commissioned by Roger II of Sicily in 1132 and took eight years to complete. Upon entering the site, one is struck by the elegance and the luminosity of the breathtaking mosaics which cover the ceiling and the dome. We will see more of Palermo's architectural gems, including external views of the Norman Palace and the Cathedral before having some free time for shopping. Next on the list is a visit of the church "Casa Professa", whose walls are covered with marbles, inlays, statues and endless arabesques decorations. Do not miss the opportunity to look around the wonderful "Capo" Market, Palermo's largest produce and fish market. We will end our tour via the "Teatro Massimo" (exterior only) before returning to the port.Please note: this tour includes periods of walking, at times over uneven surfaces and is not available to guests who use a wheelchair; guests of limited mobility are requested to evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability before taking part. Guests are requested to wear appropriate attire for religious visits. Guests must return their audio guides to the guide in perfect condition at the end of the tour. Any damage or loss will be debited to the guest. Price per person Adult: $ 83.00 Child: $ 60.00 PMO07 - SANTA ROSALIA'S GROTTO & MONDELLO something special Leave the port for Monte Pellegrino where, set into a local cave, stands the shrine of Santa Rosalia, which was founded in 1625; in the nearby caves, the bones of the Saint were supposedly discovered and are now venerated as religious relics. We will then head to Mondello, a former fishing village and today a top tourist destination. Enjoy some free time strolling around this pleasant village. Back to Palermo, we will also visit a local market rich in typical Sicilian products where we can enjoy some free time for shopping. Return to the port. Please note: wheelchair users must be accompanied by a paying helper to provide assistance with getting on and off the coach; wheelchairs must be collapsible/foldable since the coach has neither a ramp nor a lift. Wheelchair users wishing to take part in this are requested to contact the Shore Excursions' Desk promptly once they are on board so that arrangements can be made. Guests are requested to wear appropriate attire for religious visits. Price per person Adult: $ 52.00 Child: $ 37.00 www.mscbook.com PMO22 - A TRIP TO THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF culture and SEGESTA AND THE VILLAGE OF ERICE history Of the many must-sees that Sicily has to offer, one of the most notable are the archaeological remains of several ancient civilisations found at Segesta, now a part of the municipality called Calatafimi-Segesta, which you will reach after a pleasant coach ride. Situated a little way inland from Trapani amid green hills and fields, Segesta is home to a superbly preserved Doric temple, complete with elegant Doric columns, which dates back to the 5th-century B.C.. However, the fact that the edifice lacks a roof is not down to the ravages of time ​ it was simply never built as the temple was left unfinished by its Elymian makers. The adjacent amphitheatre, built during the Hellenistic age on a hilltop overlooking the Gulf of Castellamare and restored by the Romans, is next on the tour. As you walk to the theatre, look out for archaeological evidence of the city's former appearance. Situated at the top of Mount Erice lies the town of the same name, built on the site of ancient Eryx, a largely Hellenized town founded by the Phoenicians and your next destination. Next to providing stupendous views of Trapani and the Sicilian coastline from its mountaintop location, the charming town of Erice is a winning blend of myths, legends and actual history. Quaint cobbled streets, beautiful houses and cool courtyards are just some of the town​s many delights, which also include the 14th-century Mother Church ​ that you will visit ​ and the Castle of Venus that you will admire from outside. The coach drive to Palermo ends your Sicilian outing.Please note: this tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair as it involves long periods of walking on uneven ground. Guests are requested to wear appropriate attire for religious visits. Price per person Adult: $ 75.00 Child: $ 56.00 PMO23 - PALERMO SIGHTSEEING & A TASTE OF SICILY something special Your exclusive look at Palermo begins with a coach ride to Mondello to enjoy panoramic views of the gulf; a stop is scheduled for you to take photos at the "Palazzina Cinese" on the way. Moving on, you'll head for the historic centre for a pleasant walk through the typical "Capo" market and a chance to savour 2 "arancine", a Sicilian deep-fried stuffed rice ball, one with meat and one with cheese and ham. Then you'll make your way to have an external view "Massimo Theatre​, where you'll have some free time to go shopping. Next, board your coach again and pass the Arab-Norman Cathedral on the way to a local bar for a sweet deep-fried and ricotta- filled pastry called "cannoli". Other tourist spots included in the itinerary are: "4 Canti", Pretoria fountain and a stop at "Villa Garibaldi" fountain for a chance to admire some majestic speciments of "ficus magnolioides". To wrap up, you'll pay a visit to a local bar for a glass of passito, a kind of sweet dessert wine made from sun- dried grapes. The tour then ends with your return to the ship. Please note: wheelchair users must be accompanied by a paying helper to provide assistance with getting on and off the coach; wheelchairs must be collapsible/foldable since the coach has neither a ramp nor a lift. Wheelchair users wishing to take part in this are requested to contact the Shore Excursions' Desk promptly once they are on board so that arrangements can be made. Guests must return their audio guides to the guide in perfect condition at the end of the tour. Any damage or loss will be debited to the guest.